Jordan Picks Zain Duraie's Debut Sink as Its Oscar Entry
Jordan has chosen Sink, the debut feature from director Zain Duraie, as its entry for Best International Feature at the 99th Academy Awards, Deadline reported on 21 September 2026.
The category is the Oscar for films made outside the United States, largely in a language other than English. Each country can put forward one title. The Academy then narrows the field before nominations.
Sink centres on a mother and son. Clara Khoury stars as the mother, with Mohammad Nizar as the son and Wissam Tobeileh also in the cast. The film was shot by cinematographer Farouk Laâridh and produced by Alaa Alasad.
Duraie was born and raised in Amman and is a graduate of the Toronto Film School. Sink is her first feature. Her earlier work includes the short films Horizon and Give up the Ghost.
The film began its public life at TIFF, the Toronto International Film Festival, where it had its world premiere in 2025. Since then it has played at more than a dozen festivals, including BFI London, Malmö and the Red Sea International Film Festival. London-based MetFilm, a company that licenses distribution rights to buyers around the world, handles international sales.
The choice was made by a small selection committee of about half a dozen film professionals and experts. The Royal Film Commission – Jordan oversees the process. It does not vote on the selection.
Jordan is joining an early and busy field. Luxembourg has selected Child by Cyrus Neshvad, also a debut feature, as its entry, according to Deadline. Germany is still deciding. Its export body, German Films, received eleven submissions for consideration, German Films said.
For fans, this means the long season has started. To stay in contention, a film must have a qualifying cinema release between 1 January and 31 December 2026, under rules published by the Academy. Shortlists and nominations follow. Small national picks now can become familiar titles by winter.
